Schalke's superb 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end last week as they finished on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline away to RB Leipzig. Still, coach Markus Weinzierl will be encouraged by another strong showing from his charges, and will be confident the result was merely an anomaly on a trajectory that is otherwise pointing pleasingly upwards.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, are hoping to make it a hat-trick of consecutive victories at the VELTINS Arena. Such a result would be a welcome boon for Roger Schmidt's charges as they look to end a three-game winless streak in the Bundesliga. They went tantalisingly close to earning all three points on Matchday 13, but missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw at home to SC Freiburg.